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After a successful January season opener, Songwriter Sanctuary returns Friday, February 27 with its Black History Month celebration featuring original music from Grammy award winning bassist and songwriter Kevin Cooper, The Voice season 18 contestant Cedrice, and SD Music Award winner Riston Diggs. Jeff Berkley hosts in partnership with Normal Heights United. About the Artists Kevin Cooper is a Grammy Award-winning Bass Player. His career includes recording with Major Record Labels, National television appearances, and a Broadway Show performance where he also received 4 Tony Award nominations. That show started right here in town at the San Diego Repertory Theater. In recent years Kevin had the honor of studying with Ravi Shankar in New Delhi India. He performed on Anoushka Shankar’s Grammy-nominated CD “Rise” in 2006 and on a Grammy Winning CD with Ike Turner in 2007. Kevin served as Ike’s musical director for over five years. He’s performed at legendary festivals including the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and the North Sea Jazz Festival in The Hague. Kevin performs locally with a variety of bands of many different genres in hotels, resorts, churches, clubs, restaurants, casinos, concert halls and more!! This is his debut solo performance of his original compositions. Cedrice is a San Diego–born artist whose voice and presence embody transformation, mystique, and unapologetic truth. Diagnosed with alopecia areata at age ten, she learned early to define beauty beyond appearances, a reckoning that ignited the creative force behind her music. She gained national attention on NBC’s The Voice (Season 18) with a sultry, jazz-inflected performance of “Fever,” showcasing her signature blend of elegance and edge. Cedrice doesn’t perform for applause; she performs to reclaim, reveal, and remind. Her voice is velvet with grit, her presence regal yet intimate. Describing her brand in five words: elegant, illuminating, mystical, sophisticated, simple, Cedrice draws inspiration from artists like Erykah Badu, Christina Aguilera, and Michael Jackson. With new music on the horizon, she continues to step into her role as a modern muse, inviting listeners to meet her not as a star, but as a mirror. Riston Diggs: Based in San Diego California, Riston Diggs is a musician and performance artist representing the intelligent movement genre, also known as Hip-Hop. Recognized as a stellar performer and noted as “incredibly poignant” Diggs has become a stand out act on the local music scene. Hailing from Pageland, South Carolina, he started his musical journey post a 9 year military career, ultimately choosing to work in San Diego where he spent the majority of his career. Self releasing his first project PTSD in October 2015, he began performing at venues that extended the opportunity opening up for local and national touring acts. A San Diego Music Award-winning artist; Riston’s image and message of struggle, heartache and growth is right on time with music’s current state of sound. Event Details Location: Normal Heights United Church. 4650 Mansfield St, San Diego, CA 92116. Thank you to our generous venue partner for sharing this beautiful space with the local music community! Suggested Donation: $10 (all ages) but please be generous in your support of these top tier talents whose creative work is their livelihood. 100% donations go to artists. No one is turned away for lack of funds. Tip: At the event, we send a jangly tip jar around after intermission; please don't feel obligated, especially if you've already donated, it's just a traditional gesture of support in the folky world for "in the round" formats - how we show extra love to artists when their work moves us in the moment. All Ages: Bear in mind we do not censor our artists so please make sure to check out the lineup and make the best decision for your family. Food/Drink: Sponsored by Babe Beverages and Duck Foot Brewing Company. Guests are welcome to bring their own food into the venue (please eat and dispose of waste respectfully). There are so many delicious restaurants within walking distance - feel free to grab something take-out and bring it in! Visit: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/songwriter-sanctuary-feb--2026 Songwriter Sanctuary SD on Instagram

A casual book signing and multi-sensory experience all in one! "Now Act! Vol. 1: Insight, Advice, and Preparation Processes from Actors, Coaches, and Casting Directors" is a unique book of personal essays about the craft and business of acting. In an industry often dominated by singular “methods” and gatekeeper perspectives, "Now Act!" offers something refreshingly different: a practical, inclusive collection of real-world insights from more than 50 working professionals across film, television, theater, and casting. One of the contributors is Giovanni Trimble, PhD. Dr Trimble authored the essay: "Navigating Intimacy in Acting: The Importance of Intimacy Coordination" and graciously offered to host this free event at their Fuzzy Glow Pop-Up Gallery with "Now Act!" Editor, Laurie Lamson. A limited number of "Now Act!" copies will be available for sale at $18 each including tax (cover price is $20.99) Fuzzy Glow Pop-Up Gallery Fuzzy Glow will only be open until the end of January, so drop by and explore how neuroaesthetics and experiential design can foster trust, emotional safety, and real connection. A perfect environment for actors! Fuzzy Glow is located in Hillcrest at University Ave. and Normal Street, behind the AWOL Bar. Check out the video of the opening: https://www.instagram.com/p/DR-JBqEjza1/ Drop by: Fuzzy Glow Pop-Up Gallery 1475 University Ave, Unit 1469 (behind AWOL Bar) San Diego, CA 92103 "Now Act!" is edited by San Diego Local: Laurie Lamson Serving as Author/Editor for multiple "Now Write!" anthologies gave Laurie the idea to create this similar collection for actors. With a filmmaking background, she has a natural rapport with actors that served her well in putting this collection together to be a grounded, accessible, useful resource for actors at different career levels.

Gather with family and friends at Amaya, for a four-course dining experience that will ignite your senses. Reservations available on Opentable. Fairmont Grand Del Mar on Facebook / Instagram

The Suraj Israni Center for Cinematic Arts together with Alumni Relations at UC San Diego proudly invite you to the 2026 Suraj Israni Memorial Lecture, featuring Emmy®-winning producer, studio builder, and UC San Diego alumna Marge Dean. As Head of the Studio at Skybound Entertainment, Dean leads the development and production of original animated content and is building a new production facility behind major properties including Invincible for Amazon Prime. Renowned for designing and scaling animation studios and pipelines, her career spans leadership roles at Crunchyroll Studios, Warner Bros. Animation, Mattel, Technicolor, and more—shaping the future of animation at a global level. Beyond the studio, Dean is a transformative industry advocate. As a leader of Women in Animation, she helped grow the organization into a world-class nonprofit reaching tens of thousands of animation professionals and students worldwide. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, network, and get inspired by a visionary who has turned bold ideas into industry-defining realities. Bonus! Enjoy speaker artwork A multimedia artist, Marge Dean has a new conceptual art exhibition titled "The Sweepers" and six pieces will be on display in the Mosaic lobby for viewing before and after the event. Each piece is built around the same concept: What would a world where housework is valued — and the women doing it recognized as creative visionaries — look like? Visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-memorial-lecture-featuring-animation-executive-marge-dean-tickets-1977731827134?aff=kpbs Suraj Israni Center for Cinematic Arts on Instagram

Join us for a deep dive into the world of VA loans and homebuying - let's turn your service into sold and hand you keys to your new home! VA Homebuying Seminar designed for veterans, active-duty service members, and military families seeking to better understand their VA home loan benefits and how to buy a home with $0 down! This free seminar provides a comprehensive overview of the VA homebuying process, including eligibility requirements, available benefits, and key considerations for purchasing a home using a VA loan. Attendees will gain clear, practical guidance to help them make informed decisions with confidence and build wealth through real estate sharing real case studies and examples from people just like you! Seminar topics include: VA loan entitlement – understand it and maximize the benefits available to you Why Renting IS more expensive than owning – and we’ll show you the numbers Understanding zero down payment options- how you can buy a home with little to NO MONEY out of your own pocket How to use your VA loan multiple times Overview of VA loan benefits from experts with lived experience The step-by-step homebuying process Common homebuying mistakes to avoid The seminar is taught by Patrick Kappel of the Kappel Realty Group at Compass. Patrick is a retired United States Navy Lieutenant Commander and a graduate of the United States Naval Academy. He started his Navy career as an enlisted sailor prior to earning his commission. Patrick bought his first property as a young Ensign and has grown his real estate portfolio to more than 13 rental units in San Diego. Drawing on his military service and personal and professional real estate experience, Mr. Kappel offers a disciplined, educational approach focused on data, education, and service to the military community. He was named one of San Diego’s Most Influential Veterans and one of San Diego’s Most Influential Residential Real Estate Agents by the San Diego Business Journal. His real estate team is in the top 1% of large Real Estate teams in San Diego and in the U.S. Jared Kelley and his team at Barrett Financial are experts in the VA loan and working with our active duty and veteran military members to maximize their valuable VA loan benefits. He and his team have navigated and closed more than $100 million in loans for Military Families. Event details: Wednesday, February 11 from 5 – 7 p.m. Dinner & Networking from 5 - 5:45 followed by the presentation and Q&A MISSION VALLEY - 3111 Camino Del Rio N suite 905. This is a free event for veterans and military families This seminar is strictly educational in nature and is intended to provide attendees with reliable information and an opportunity to ask questions in a professional setting. Advance registration is requested. Click Register to reserve your spot. Patrick Kappel | CalDRE 02017034 Kappel Realty Group | Compass San Diego Kappelrealtygroup.com This message is intended for informational purposes only and is not an advertisement or offer to lend. All mortgage products are subject to credit and property approval. Rates, program terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice. This is not a commitment to lend. Please contact a licensed mortgage lender for more information and to discuss your specific financial needs. NMLS ID: 1676089

SD Baroque again joins forces with up-and-coming LA-based soprano Addy Sterrett for a program centered on Italian vocal chamber works from the early 18th century, including Alessandro Scarlatti’s exquisite "L’Olimpia" and Handel’s "Crudel tiranno amor" HWV 97. Admission is free. San Diego Baroque on Facebook / Instagram

Lecture title: The sweet side of drug discovery: How sugars can help shape the future of medicines - Front Row lecture with Yuzhong Liu, PhD Description: Some of the most powerful medicines we use today come from natural products, which are specialized molecules that plants and microbes have evolved over millions of years. Sugars play a key role in these compounds—determining how the molecule behaves, where it travels in the body and how strongly it activates the immune system. In this free Front Row lecture, Scripps Research chemist Yuzhong Liu will demonstrate how her lab uses synthetic biology to decode the role of sugars in medicine—helping scientists build next-generation vaccine adjuvants, cancer therapies and safer treatments. ABOUT SCRIPPS RESEARCH Scripps Research is an independent, nonprofit biomedical institute based in La Jolla, California, and ranked one of the most influential in the world for its impact on innovation. The Front Row lecture series, now in its ninth season, offers an exclusive glimpse into groundbreaking scientific discoveries in action. Join us—in the front row. Reserve your seat! Settle into our auditorium for an inspirational, in-person experience, or attend virtually with thousands of people from around the world. Scripps Research on Instagram and Facebook

Experience a Grand Feast on Christmas Eve with an opulent four-course tasting menu at Amaya. Reservations available on Opentable. Fairmont Grand Del Mar on Facebook / Instagram

Studio ACE Gallery invites artists of all levels and backgrounds to submit work now through Sunday, January 25, 2026, for "Common Threads: The Fabric of Our Community," a juried exhibition celebrating the rich, expressive world of textiles and fiber arts. Call for Artists Closes: Sunday, January 25, 2026 To Apply: https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=16630 Textiles—among the oldest and most universal artistic mediums—carry stories in every stitch. Woven, sewn, dyed, layered, felted, quilted, knotted, or repurposed, fiber-based materials offer a tactile language that speaks to memory, identity, resilience, and cultural tradition. From the intimate textures of handwork to bold contemporary experiments with fabric, thread, and mixed media, textile art reminds us that creativity is something we all touch, wear, and share. This exhibition seeks works that explore connection—connections between people, cultures, materials, and ideas. We welcome pieces that honor traditional craft, push the boundaries of fiber as a modern art form, or reimagine textiles in unexpected ways. Whether your work is deeply personal, abstract, conceptual, or rooted in community stories, we want to hear your voice. Join us as we bring together the diverse perspectives that make up the fabric of our community. "Common Threads: The Fabric of Our Community" will be on view at ACE Gallery (inside Studio ACE) from Saturday, February 21, through Friday, March 27, 2026, with an opening reception celebration taking place on Saturday, February 21, from 5-7 p.m. Studio ACE on Facebook / Instagram

For years, fans have complained about what it can take to get a concert ticket: the long virtual queue waits, website crashes and high prices. Now, the artists' role in it all is being questioned.